The Theft of the Legacy of Prof Samuel J Lonewolf

Samuel Lonewolf’s teachings were passed directly, hands-on, to his only two kur obis/black belts, his daughter and myself. Rank in his system was never about paper certificates, it represented years of sweat, correction, and direct guidance from him. I was one of his two kurobis/black belts. Lonewolf  sent out an email  in 2010 (pictured below) to those who were appointed in Lonewolf's system and he appointed a council of elders outside o his system. 

Lonewolf email appointing his daughter and myself as his only two Kurobis/blackbelts

Martial rank is tied to training and rank represents not just technical knowledge, but also time, effort, and progression under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Without that personal instruction, the certificate is just a piece of paper.

Every martial art has nuances, concepts, and principles and Lonewolf had his. They were passed down through hands-on instruction. If you never trained with that teacher, you never received their methods, corrections, or insights.

Authentic lineages are built on direct teacher-to-student relationships. Skipping that link damages credibility and makes claims of inheritance or succession questionable. Claiming rank without training devalues the teacher’s knowledge, the system itself, and the students who did put in the time.

The rank becomes meaningless if the instructor never observed your ability, progress, and character firsthand through years of direct formal training. A martial arts rank without formal training with the person granting it is a hollow recognition, not some accomplishment. In Sam Lonewolf’s system, a rank received without formal training under him holds no value.

Lonewolf’s teachings were passed directly, hands-on, to only a very small number of students. Rank in his system was never about paper certificates, it represented years of sweat, correction, and direct guidance from him.

 

False Inheritance Claims

After the passing of Professor Sam Lonewolf, Gary Lee falsely claimed to have inherited Lonewolf’s Kenpo system for years after his death. These claims were entirely without foundation. Lonewolf never named Lee as a successor, nor did he authorize Lee in any capacity.

Gary Lee’s online and social media claims of he and Don Miskel inheriting or holding rank under Grandmaster Sam Lonewolf  (see above) are completely false and without merit. 

Fabricated Certificates

Gary Lee fabricated a tenth-degree black belt certificate purportedly issued by Professor Lonewolf, granting himself rank and authority that was never given.

Any certificate or rank Gary Lee claims from Lonewolf is fabricated. Such claims hold no legitimacy, no recognition within the Lonewolf lineage, and no representation of Lonewolf’s teachings. 

Certificates fabricated by Lee with forged Lonewolf signature

Gary Lee was involved with making and distributing fake certificates with a forged Lonewolf signature some dated several years after Lonewolf passed away. 

In addition, Donald Miskel and leading members of the Black Dragon Fighting Society also created false certificates claiming recognition, cross-rank, or affiliation with Lonewolf. Both Gary Lee and the leadership of the Black Dragon Fighting Society sold these fake Lonewolf certificates and to exploit Professor Lonewolf’s name and legacy for financial gain.

Such issued ranks do not demonstrate knowledge, skill, or connection to Lonewolf's system, it only highlights dishonesty and a lack of respect for Lonewolf’s legacy. None of which have any legitimacy, recognition, or connection to Lonewolf or his system. 

Exploitation of Lonewolf’s Personal Items

Immediately, following Lonewolf’s death, Gary Lee, at the urging of Donald Miskel and senior members of the Black Dragon Fighting Society went to the home of Lonewolf’s widow. He obtained some of Lonewolf’s personal martial arts items under the pretense that they would be displayed in a sport karate museum. Instead they were used to create a fabricated lineage for Lee and others.

These items were never displayed in any museum. Instead items like certificates, stamps and chops were used to create a fabricated certificates and create a lineage so Lee and others could glum onto Lonewolf’s history. When the Lonewolf family requested the items be returned, Lee informed them he had burned the items, claiming he did so because he did not like the way he had been spoken to. This act demonstrated profound disrespect to Lonewolf’s memory and his family.

Misleading Articles and False Histories

Donald Miskel authored articles and a “online eulogy” about Professor Lonewolf for USA Dojo a website operated by Dana Stamos and as well as other websites. In these articles Miskell implied that he knew and trained with Lonewolf. These writings are false, untrue, and not indicative of what Lonewolf taught or represented. These online articles mischaracterize his teachings, his actual rank and system.

Additionally, other inaccurate information has been published online, further distorting Lonewolf’s legacy and misleading the martial arts community.

The true continuation of Sam Lonewolf’s system remains with his legitimate direct student and black belt, who trained under him directly, and not with those who, like Lee and others attempted to falsely attach themselves to his name.

Clarification on Sam Lonewolf’s Recognition of Rank(s)

Grandmaster Sam Lonewolf only awarded legitimate rank in his system to those who trained directly under him. Anyone claiming rank from Lonewolf without having trained with him has nothing more than an empty title. Such a rank carries no legitimacy, no recognition within Lonewolf’s lineage, and no connection to the art he preserved. It disrespects what Lonewolf strived for and undermines the hard work of the few who did earn their place under him.

However, it should be noted that during his lifetime he also recognized the existing ranks of about a dozen martial artists from outside his system, he named these individuals as his council or committee of elders. 

This recognition was a gesture of respect for their accomplishments in their own arts, it did not mean that they were students of Lonewolf, nor that they held rank in his system or could promote anyone in his system. Lonewolf made a clear distinction between his own black belts, of which there were only two, and the ranks he acknowledged from outside martial artists. 

Only Lonewolf’s direct students held authentic rank, and only the named dozen elders held recognized standing outside his system. All other claims are false and should not be acknowledged.

Closing Statement

Any claims of inheritance, recognition, or rank from Professor Lonewolf by Gary Lee, Donald Miskel, or members of the Black Dragon Fighting Society are false. The fabrication and sale of fake certificates for profit, together with the publication of misleading articles and the exploitation of Lonewolf’s personal items, represent a deliberate pattern of misrepresentation and abuse of his legacy.

The true lineage of Professor Lonewolf’s system lies with his family and myself. Out of respect for his memory, teachings, and the integrity of his art, his system should be preserved accurately and without distortion.

—Barron Shepherd